Masturbation as we all already know is so good for you in so many ways. It literally at the same time, like with anything, if you’re doing it too much it may mean something is going on with you. The point is, the best thing we can do to normalise is to keep on talking about it and asking questions.
Period and ovulation tracking app Clue recently put the most common questions about female solo sex to a range of experts and here’s what they said.
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1. Do women actually masturbate?
I mean, I think I could answer this one pretty easily with one (all caps) three letter word. But Clue went all scientific and researchy on this one, so over to them. “Susan Quilliam found in her research, (published in the book Women on Sex) that 4 out of 5 women masturbate regularly.” And that’s not the only affirmativre stat. “In a 2016 US study by Indiana University, 3 out of 4 women aged 25–29, and 1 in 2 girls aged 14–17 said they had masturbated.” Saying that, the experts also explain there’s a serious lack of research when it comes to trans and non-binary women.
2. Do women all have solo sex the same way?
Before I launch into the expert advice I want to reiterate: there’s no wrong way to masturbate. It’s basically all about doing what feels good for YOU. “Generally when we talk about masturbation we mean touching, pressing, rubbing, or massaging a person’s genital area, nipples, or other erogenous zones with the fingers or against an object,” Clue experts say. “It can also include inserting fingers or an object into the vagina or anus; or stimulating the genitals with toys such as a vibrator. It’s okay to use toys or stimulate any part of your body that feels good — there are as many different ways to masturbate as there are people. As long as what you are doing is not dangerous to you or others then you can masturbate in any way you like.”
3. Can masturbation cause diseases?
“Unless you’re using unwashed hands or an unsanitary object, solo masturbation cannot cause disease or infection,” the experts say. PHEW. “And unlike sex with a partner, solo masturbation won’t lead to unintended pregnancy or provided that the environment and objects are clean).” In fact, it’s a super safe way of figuring out what you’re comfortable with and what you like/how you like to be touch. But beware, “If putting something in your vagina that’s been in your butt, wash it first or cover it with a condom.”
4. Does it teach you how to orgasm?
Hells yeah it does. “Masturbation can be one of the most fulfilling ways to be sexual, and for people of every gender it’s an opportunity to get to know your body and explore your desires. It can be a way to discover new bodily sensations and reactions” they’re talking squirting here. Quilliam says 9 out of 10 women always orgasm when masturbating. “Compare that to Elisabeth Lloyd’s finding that only 1 in 4 women are consistently orgasmic during ‘penis in vagina’ intercourse,” the experts add.
5. Are you no longer a virgin if you masturbate?
“Virginity is not something physical or medical. It’s a cultural idea, which many people have different definitions of and opinions about. Concepts of virginity are sometimes linked with the idea that your vaginal opening is covered by a membrane that is ‘broken’ by vaginal sex,” the experts say. So in short just because you masturbate it doesn’t mean you’re not a ‘virgin’.
6. Is it normal to have solo sex even if you’re in a relationship?
Masturbation and sex with a partner can be “complementary sexual experiences” the experts say.”Solo masturbation can be a very good way to learn about your own body, so it can be a path to better sex. A Canadian study done in 2017 found that women who masturbate regularly can more easily recognise and acknowledge their sexual needs.” So that’s pretty cool. “Participants in the study who masturbated once a month or more were more confident at naming exactly what brought them pleasure in partnered sex. Mutual masturbation with a partner can help you to learn more about each other’s sexual preferences.”
7. What about all those things you hear about it making you go blind and causing acne?
Solo sex IS NOT BAD FOR YOU “physically, sexually, or emotionally unless it is something you simply do not want to be doing. In fact, masturbation can actually be good for you.”
